Synonyms

HCN dimer; HNCHCN

Definition

Cyanomethanimine is an organic molecule that is a less saturated relative of aminoacetonitril​e (glycine nitrile, NH2CH2CN). It has three isomers, N-, E-, and Z-cyanomethanimine. Cyanomethanimine has been proposed as an intermediary in the prebiotic synthesis of the purine nucleobase adenine.

History

Both E-Cyanomethanimine and Z- Cyanomethanimine have been detected by radio astronomers in the interstellar medium (Zaleski et al. 2013; Rivilla 2019). Cyanomethanimine has been suggested to be a possible precursor to adenine.

See Also